The District Court is aware that this was a difficult decision with serious consequences. It observes that at least, under Law No.
The consequences of the non-registration are that they will not be eligible for state subsidies, nor will they be able to celebrate legally valid marriages. State subsidies in Norway are not a gift. Since the Church of Norway, a Lutheran denomination, is a state church supported by the government with transfers of money proportional to the number of its members, the Constitution mandates that to respect the principle of equality other religions should receive the same proportional subsidies.
Here, I find the decision slightly confusing. At times, it seems that the judge regards the shunning both of adult and minor ex-members as grounds for his decision. In other passages, however, he seems to acknowledge that Law no. The decision notes that the European Convention on Human Rights also guarantees the right to leave a religious organization. As mentioned earlier, it is at times unclear whether in the end the objection only concerns the shunning of minors or also extends to adults.
In the second case, the decision is patently absurd and runs counter to dozens of decisions on shunning by jurisdictions in other countries, including supreme courts. They have noted that religious organizations have the right to self-organize themselves as they deem fit.
(mh=UPhYHmeNP60LYFL_)3.jpg "Teen girls in Oslo")
Christian groups also have the right to interpret the Bible in their own way. Others may suggest a non-literal interpretation of these passages, but it is not for secular courts of law to second-guess religious organizations on their interpretation of the Bible. The main objection is, however, another. All human organizations have what sociologists call exit costs.
